Use of Phyllanthus constituents for treating or preventing infections caused by hepatitis B-viruses

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method of inhibiting synthesis of viral DNA in a mammal infected with a hepatitis B virus. This method includes administering at least one Phyllanthus component or substance to a mammal infected with the hepatitis B virus. It also includes inhibiting hepatitis B viral DNA synthesis in the mammal using the Phyllanthus component or substance. The disclosure also relates to a method of inhibiting viral gene expression in a mammal infected with a hepatitis B virus. This method includes administering at least one Phyllanthus component or substance to a mammal infected with the hepatitis B virus. It also includes inhibiting expression of at least one hepatitis B viral gene in the mammal using the Phyllanthus component or substance. These methods may form part of a method of preventing or treating hepatitis B infection.

1. A method of inhibiting synthesis of viral DNA in a mammal infected with a YMDD hepatitis B virus mutant strain resistant to lamivudine comprising administering an effective amount of at least one an aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus  to a mammal infected with the YMDD hepatitis B virus mutant strain resistant; and, inhibiting YMDD hepatitis B virus mutant strain viral DNA synthesis in the mammal using the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus.    
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Phyllanthus  is selected from the group consisting of:  Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus embilica, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus acidus, Phyllanthus acuminatus , and  Phyllanthus reticulatus.    
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein administering comprises contacting the YMDD hepatitis B virus mutant strain with the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus.    
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising inhibiting amplification of the YMDD hepatitis B virus mutant strain in the mammal using the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus.    
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising inhibiting at least one viral enzyme using the aqeuous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus.    
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising inhibiting at least one viral reverse transcriptase. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus  component or substance is derived from at least one of the group consisting of  Phyllanthus  leaf, bark, blossom, fruit, seed, stalk, branch, stem, root, wood, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus  comprises at least one component or substance selected from the group consisting of alkaloids, tanning agents, lignanes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, cyanogenic glycosides, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the extract is extracted from  Phyllanthus  using an alcohol or alcohol mixture. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10  wherein the alcohol comprises at least one short-chain primary C1 to C4-alcohols and/or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising administering an additional active agent substantially concurrently with the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus  component or substance. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the active agent comprises an interferon or ribavirin. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the active agent comprises an interferon selected from the group consisting of interferon α, interferon β, interferon γ, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administering comprises administering the aqueous or alcohol extract of  Phyllanthus  orally, topically or parenterally. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the YMDD hepatitis B virus mutant strain comprises a substitution of an isoleucine by a methionine in a YMDD amino acid motif of a viral reverse transcriptase. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the substitution of an isoleucine by a methionine in a YMDD amino acid motif of the viral reverse transcriptase is at position 552.